In addition, Tuberville announced associate head coach Robert Prunty would add the title of co-defensive coordinator and coach both the defensive ends and defensive tackles after coaching ends in 2013. Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale will coach cornerbacks.

"Both Hank and Jeff are excellent coaches and recruiters," Tuberville said. "We are lucky to have them on our staff. We have put a very strong defensive coaching staff together. I'm looking forward to finishing off a strong recruiting class and am excited for spring football to get started."

Hughes, a 35-year veteran of the coaching ranks, comes to UC after a 13-year stint at UConn where he coached the defensive line, had two stints as defensive coordinator (2002-04, 2013) and served as the assistant head coach for defense (2005-10) and the assistant head coach (2011-12).

During that span, UConn had several nationally-ranked defenses, made five bowl appearances and won a share of two conference championships.

Koonz, who was a graduate assistant coach for Tuberville at Auburn University in 2004, comes to UC after three seasons coaching the linebackers at Louisiana Tech.

One of Koonz's linebackers led Tech in tackles in each of his three seasons, including 2012 Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Adrien Cole.

Koonz spent two stints at Texas as a quality control assistant (2009), helping lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and an appearance in the 2009 BCS national championship game against Alabama, and from 2005-06 as a graduate assistant. He was the secondary coach at Iowa State from 2007-08.

Cincinnati was 9-3 in Tuberville's first season in 2013, making its third straight bowl appearance. UC is slated to return 14 starters in 2014, including First-Team All-American Athletic Conference selections OT Eric Lefeld (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) and RB/RS Ralph David Abernathy IV (Atlanta, Ga./Westminster School) as well as second-team honoree DL Silverberry Mouhon (Norcross, Ga./Norcross).

Season ticket deposits for 2014 are being accepted now at CATSTIX.com. UC will play its home slate of games at Paul Brown Stadium downtown as Nippert Stadium is undergoing a 15-month, $86-million renovation and expansion.